Enka Singer Popularity Ranking in Karaoke [2026]

Fragments of Men and WomenMaekawa Kiyoshi50rank/position

Kiyoshi Maekawa “Fragments of a Man and a Woman” (Lyric Video)

A standout hit from the early Heisei era with a strong Showa kayō vibe, this song showcases lyricist Toyohisa Araki’s flair—having the title read as “kakera” instead of “hahen.” ‘Otoko to Onna no Kakera’ was released in 1991 as a single by Kiyoshi Maekawa and is one of his signature songs, beloved in karaoke.

As mentioned, it leans more toward classic Showa pop than straight enka.

While techniques like kobushi appear, the overall difficulty is relatively modest, making it approachable even for beginners to enka.

Don’t be shy—channel Maekawa himself and try expressing your own take on this “cool, grown-up song”!

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Mount TsurugiKitayama Takeshi51rank/position

Takeshi Kitayama / Ken-zan

It was released in 2009 as Takeshi Kitayama’s eighth single.

Composed by Saburō Kitajima, the song is powerfully crafted, overlaying a man’s life with Mount Tsurugi, a famous peak that offers a distant view of the Seto Inland Sea.

It was performed at the 60th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and reached No.

16 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Northern fishing groundsKitajima Saburō52rank/position

Saburo Kitajima 'Northern Fishing Grounds' (Official Audio)

Kitano Ryojo is a striking piece with a bold intro that incorporates the sound of strong winds.

It falls into the category of “manly songs,” which are Saburo Kitajima’s specialty.

Manly songs typically feature a rough singing style with shouts, and this piece includes those elements as well.

However, since the shouts only appear in the chorus, it’s one of the more approachable manly songs among his works.

The chorus is expansive, yet surprisingly light on long sustained notes, making it quite singable even without strong foundational technique.

The kobushi (melodic ornamentation) is also relatively restrained for a Kitajima song, making this an ideal piece for practice.

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Ryo

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The northern city, HakodateKitagawa Daisuke53rank/position

Daisuke Kitagawa “Northern Town Hakodate” MUSIC VIDEO

Daisuke Kitagawa has woven a poignant, adult love story set in a port town.

While richly retaining the nostalgic flavor of Showa-era kayōkyoku, this piece features a tenor saxophone that resonates to great effect, creating a gem of a song where wistfulness and warmth blend beautifully.

Scheduled for release in February 2025, the track is set in Hakodate and conveys feelings for a once-beloved partner now separated, expressed with remarkable vocal prowess.

Interweaving evocative depictions of Hakodate—its brick-lined streets and nightscapes—the song brings a heartfelt yearning for someone precious to the fore.

As a mellow, mature enka best savored alone on a quiet night, it leaves a deep and lasting impression.

Flowers of TsugaruHarada Yuuri54rank/position

Yuri Harada - Flower of Tsugaru_low.mp4

Released in 1999 as Yuri Harada’s 17th single.

Although it peaked at No.

42 on the Oricon chart, it became a long-running hit and ultimately sold over 160,000 copies.

The song won the Excellent Work Award at the 41st Japan Record Awards, and with this song she made her first appearance at the 50th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Beloved DaysHoriuchi Takao55rank/position

Beloved Days

This is one of Takao Horiuchi’s signature songs.

It was used as the theme song for the year-end period drama Byakkotai, broadcast on Nippon TV in 1986.

The lyrics penned by singer-songwriter Kei Ogura leave a lasting impression.

In terms of vocals, Horiuchi is also a member and songwriter of the rock group Alice, so many parts don’t conform to enka conventions.

He changes the melody and vocal phrasing between the first and second verses, and there are shout-like phrases as well.

Even so, the song doesn’t suddenly jump in pitch or introduce radically different phrasing.

If you can produce the low range clearly and distinctly, and pay attention to how you cut off notes, you’ll likely score higher.

I fell in love with Yuko like that.Masuiyama Tashirō56rank/position

[MV] Masuiyama Taishirō / I Fell in Love with That Yūko (full ver.)

Taijiro Masuiyama is an enka singer with the unusual background of being a former professional sumo wrestler.

People have long said that sumo wrestlers have good voices, and he is a perfect example.

His voice is warm and gentle, yet possesses overwhelming richness.

The song he performs here, “Sonna Yūko ni Horemashita,” fully showcases the essential elements of enka while still being very easy to sing.

There are few kobushi (ornamental turns), and the ones that do appear are simple—just one or two turns—so it should be possible to aim for a high score.

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Ryo

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